Santa Baby Outfit 6 Sizes Free Pattern – A Cozy Christmas Knit Set

Wrap your little one in festive charm with this heirloom-quality Santa Baby outfit, knitted in six sizes from newborn to 24 months. The set includes a plush, ribbed cardigan, matching pants, and a jaunty Santa hat, all designed for maximum cuddle and holiday cheer. This complete pattern is perfect for knitters of all skill levels, and the finished set makes a memorable handmade gift that will be treasured for years to come.

Whether you're a seasoned knitter or a confident beginner looking for a rewarding project, this pattern offers clear instructions and a beautiful result. The classic color palette of rich red, cream, black, and gold creates a timeless holiday look that photographs beautifully and feels wonderfully cozy. Let's get started on creating this adorable Santa Baby outfit!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather all your materials. Having everything ready will make your knitting experience smooth and enjoyable.

Yarn

Worsted weight (Category 4) yarn in the following colors:

• Red (MC): Main color for the body of the cardigan, pants, and hat
• Cream (CC1): For ribbed edging, cuffs, and pom-pom
• Black (CC2): For the pants waistband and leg cuffs
• Gold (CC3): For buttons and embroidery details

Approximately 600-900 yards total depending on size chosen.

Needles

• US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles (straight or circular for cardigan and pants)
• US 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for hat and sleeves

Additional Supplies

• Stitch holders
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Elastic (optional, for pants waistband)

Gauge

20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS). Always swatch first to ensure your gauge matches! This is crucial for achieving the correct finished size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern includes six sizes: Newborn (0-3 mo, 3-6 mo, 6-12 mo, 12-18 mo, 18-24 mo). Finished chest measurements: 16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) inches. Instructions are written for the smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses.

Abbreviations

K = knit, P = purl, K2tog = knit two together, P2tog = purl two together, SSK = slip slip knit, YO = yarn over, PM = place marker, SM = slip marker, RS = right side, WS = wrong side, St(s) = stitch(es), Rep = repeat, BO = bind off, CO = cast on.

Cardigan (Worked Flat)

Back

With MC, CO 40 (44, 48, 52, 56, 60) sts. Work in K1, P1 rib for 1 inch. Switch to Stockinette (K on RS, P on WS) and work even until piece measures 5 (5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5) inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Armhole shaping: BO 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) sts at beginning of next 2 rows. Continue in Stockinette until armhole measures 3.5 (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shoulder shaping: BO 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts at beginning of next 2 rows, then BO 4 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts at beginning of next 2 rows. BO remaining 18 (18, 18, 20, 20, 20) sts for back neck.

Left Front

With MC, CO 20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) sts. Work in K1, P1 rib for 1 inch. Switch to Stockinette. Work even until piece measures same as back to armhole, ending with a WS row.

Armhole shaping: BO 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) sts at beginning of next RS row. Work even until armhole measures 2 (2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5) inches, ending with a WS row.

Neck shaping: At beginning of next RS row, BO 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5) sts, then decrease 1 st at neck edge every RS row 3 times. Work even until armhole measures same as back.

Shoulder shaping: At beginning of next RS row, BO 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts, then BO 4 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts on next RS row.

Right Front

Work as for Left Front, reversing all shaping (armhole BO on WS, neck BO on WS, shoulder BO on WS).

Sleeves (Make 2)

With MC, CO 24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 34) sts. Work in K1, P1 rib for 1 inch. Switch to Stockinette. Increase 1 st each edge every 4th row until you have 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54) sts. Work even until sleeve measures 5 (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) inches from cast-on. BO all sts loosely.

Cardigan Finishing

Sew shoulder seams. Set in sleeves, sew side and sleeve seams.

Edging: With RS facing, using CC1, pick up and knit sts evenly along entire front edges and neckline. Work in K1, P1 rib for 4 rows. BO in rib.

Buttons: With CC3, crochet a chain of 6, slip stitch into a ring, then work 6 sc into ring, join, fasten off. Sew 3 buttons evenly spaced on left front.

Pants (Worked Flat, Then Seamed)

Left Leg

With MC, CO 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50) sts. Work in K1, P1 rib for 1 inch. Switch to Stockinette. Increase 1 st each edge every 4th row until you have 40 (46, 52, 58, 64, 70) sts. Work even until leg measures 5 (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) inches. Place sts on holder.

Right Leg

Work as for left leg.

Join Legs

With RS facing, knit across right leg sts, then left leg sts onto one needle (80 (92, 104, 116, 128, 140) sts). Work even in Stockinette until piece measures 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) inches from crotch.

Waistband

Switch to CC2, work in K1, P1 rib for 1.5 inches. BO in rib.

Pants Finishing

Sew inner leg seams and crotch seam. Fold waistband over and sew a casing for elastic, or simply use a drawstring.

Hat

With MC, CO 60 (66, 72, 78, 84, 90) sts on DPNs, join in round, PM. Work in K1, P1 rib for 1 inch. Switch to Stockinette, work even until hat measures 4 (4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5) inches from cast-on.

Decrease rounds:

Round 1: *K8, K2tog*, rep to end.
Round 2 and all even rounds: Knit.
Round 3: *K7, K2tog*, rep.
Continue decreasing in this manner (one less st between decreases each odd round) until 6 sts remain. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure.

Pom-pom: With CC1, make a 2-inch pom-pom and attach to top.

Cuffs and Trim

With CC1, pick up and knit 20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) sts around each sleeve cuff, work in K1, P1 rib for 4 rows, BO. With CC2, pick up and knit sts around bottom of pants legs, work in rib for 4 rows, BO.

Embroidery

With CC3, embroider a small 'Santa' belt buckle on the front of the cardigan using duplicate stitch.

Your adorable Santa Baby outfit is complete! Block gently, weave in all ends, and admire your beautiful handiwork. This set makes a wonderful gift for a new baby or a special little one in your life. Happy knitting, and Merry Christmas!